Brand: Ramsey Banjos
Instrument Categories: Banjos, SOLD
The Mike Ramsey Woody 5-string is an open back traditional style banjo with frailing scoop, and featuring a wooden tone ring and rim. This example was built in Chapel Hill, NC.
Mike Ramsey began building banjos in 1986, and in 1990 shifted to full time banjo production in Lebanon, Ohio. In 1994 he moved to a new shop in Appomattox, Virginia, and again in 2005 to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Around 2010, he moved to Pittsboro, NC. For a time, he sold his banjos through Elderly Instruments under the name Chanterelle.
Here we’re looking at a Mike Ramsey Woody 5-string banjo with frailing scoop, in very nice condition. It was built in Chapel Hill, NC likely during 2008. It is built with Cherry for the fingerboard and 12 inch rim, with an Ebony fingerboard and an engraved Mother of Pearl and Abalone inlay set. It’s had no repairs and there is a bit of wear on the edge of the frailing scoop, as expected from normal use.
This banjo plays well, and has a deep, warm tone.
A black hard shell case by TKL is included.
Mike Ramsey died in 2021.
From an archive copy of the Ramsey Banjos website, here’s a description of the Ramsey Woody banjo:
“This model is designed with a wooden tone ring attached to the wooden rim. The combination of a thicker rim and a wooden tone ring produces a very pleasing tone, with plenty of volume and a complete sound of its own.”
- Model: Woody
- Year: 2008
- Finish Natural
- Class: Used
- Serial Number: 1979
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 20/02/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 5.61lbs 2.55kg
- Scale Length: 25.75in 654mm
- Nut Width: 1.46in 34.5mm
